Fond Farwells to Honors College and University Heights North Staff

Three staff members who have been integral in creating a happy, safe and motivated learning community within the Honors College community will be moving on to new positions this summer. Student Leadership Coordinator Cait Bjellequist and Assistant Resident Director Viraj Patel, both of whom graduated from UVM's Higher Education and Student Affairs graduate program this past May, will be pursuing full-time positions in Boston and Washington, D.C., respectively. Resident Director Patrick Hale will continue to be a Resident Director at UVM, but is moving to a different building. The Honors College wishes all of them well, and best of luck on their next adventures.

Caitlin Bjellquist

We bid farewell and good luck to Cait, who has been part of the Honors College staff since Fall 2009. Cait has just completed a Master of Science degree in Higher Education and Student Affairsin UVM's College of Education. During the past two years, her energy and positive attitude were instrumental in revamping the peer mentoring program. Her hard work will continue to be evident to the incoming Honors College students who participate in the Peer Leader Program.

Cait's most rewarding experience as an Honors College staff member was getting to know and work with the incredibly talented, insightful and absolutely hysterical students in the Honors College. "Whether it's requesting Jeopardy categories like 'Prussian Wars' or coming out in full force for Trick or Treating in UHN, the community in the Honors College is entirely unique. I
look forward to continuing my work with other gifted and passionate students at another university this coming year, and wish all Honors College students best of luck in their future endeavors."

Viraj Patel

The residents of University Heights North and the Honors College staff are grateful for the fine work and dedication of our 2010-11 Assistant Residence Director, Viraj Patel. Viraj, who is graduating this spring from the College of Education and Social Services' Master's program in Higher Education Student Affairs, brought her valuable focus on advocacy, equity, multicultural student organizations, allyship, and horizontal oppression into her work with the students in UHN this year in myriad of beneficial ways. When asked about particularly memorable moments in UHN, Viraj said, "I loved getting to know the Honors College students this year- particularly at the fun Jeopardy nights during Honors College socials, and I am incredibly proud of the respect students have for the complex. Though not a time full of laughs, one of my favorite memories from the year was the community response meeting we had in regards to a door that was shattered in the complex. It was amazing to be living and working with students who are passionate about their community and dedicated to maintaining a beautiful complex and safe living environment!"

Viraj is leaving UVM to move to Washington, D.C. where this fall she will be a Hall Director at Georgetown University. We wish her all the best as she heads off to the new challenges and opportunities that await her in on this next part of her journey!

Patrick Hale

Patrick served as Resident Director for the 2010-2011 academic year. He has greatly enjoyed working in this very strong academic and residential environment, and will cherish and miss the strong connections to the many Honors College students who cared about our community this past year. He will also cherish and miss the amazing assistant RD and RA staff that he worked with this year. He owes much gratitude to the Honors College faculty and staff for being strong collaborative partners for ensuring the success and well-being of our students in UHN. He will continue to be part of Residential Life at UVM, taking on the role of Residence Director of the Wing-Davis-Wilks residential complex for the 2011-2012 academic year.